Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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202. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will introduce a free national car test every second year for vehicles over ten years, for which a yearly test is compulsory, as many persons cannot afford to get a new car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22616/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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With effect from June 2011  all cars older than 10 years, other than vintage cars, must undergo annual roadworthiness testing.

The effects of wear and tear on a vehicle become more evident as it ages. Prior to the introduction of annual testing, road traffic collision statistics showed that a significant proportion of fatal collisions and serious injuries arose from collisions that involved vehicles that were 10 years old or over. Annual testing of such vehicles is a valuable safety measure.

The NCT service is delivered on a self-financing basis through the collection of a test fee with no additional cost to the taxpayer. The current test fee of €55 has not increased since February 2012. It represents the per test cost of carrying out the testing service and I have no proposals to grant any exemptions from this fee.